Sham needling may be as powerful as verum (traditional) acupuncture, according to researchers from the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden. (more…)

Researchers at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, in Chicago evaluated the effectiveness of an inpatient integrative medicine consult service for pain management. (more…)

Many studies of acupuncture have been conducted. Yet, poorly designed studies do nothing to advance the value of acupuncture. As a practical matter, they just provide ammunition for skeptics.

Forget the studies. Based on their clinical experience, what do allopathic physicians think of acupuncture for treating chronic pain? (more…)

Peripheral artery disease affects blood circulation in the arteries that lead to the legs and feet. It results in pain, weakness, numbness, or cramping — mostly in older people.

Researchers from the University of Florida, in Gainesville studied the effects of low intensity treadmill walking. (more…)

Men with chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) have persistent discomfort or pain in the pelvic area that lasts several months, often longer. Discomfort is usually at the base of the penis and around the anus and lower back. Sometimes it spreads into the testes. The cause isn’t known.

Researchers at Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, in Germany studied the response to pollen extract (Cernilton). (more…)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices produce electrical currents to stimulate nerves through unbroken skin.

Here’s the Cochrane review. (more…)

In this study by researchers at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, massage reduced delayed onset muscle soreness by almost half. (more…)

Qigong is an internal martial art in which one learns to sense the Qi (the circulating life energy) moving in their body.

Prof. Ernst reviewed the research on qigong to treat pain. (more…)

Dr. Mark Jensen (photo), who is Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, in Seattle has published a series of studies on this topic.

Here’s a summary of his most recent research, and an overview of the past 3 years. (more…)

Chronic pain is associated with depression; and self-treatment of depression with St John’s wort might make pain patients prone to a drug interaction.

Researchers in Finland assessed the potential of St John’s wort to interfere with the metabolism of the opioid drug known as oxycodone (OxyContin). (more…)